Players in the European market of expandable polystyrene (PSV-C) are discussing a decrease in the amount of EUR180-200 per ton for the May contracts, ICIS reports with reference to market participants.

At the same time, some of them expect that agreement this month will end with a slightly higher price drop.

Earlier this month, some manufacturers offered discounts of about EUR150-160 per tonne, but the competition was quite high, and these discounts are hardly present in the market, the players say.

Several sources said that sales this month were good. Customers have bought the most necessary minimum in recent months due to high prices, but now the situation has changed, sources said. Although demand may look better than in April, but in general this is not something exceptional, they added.

As for imports, market players do not report any price pressure from Asian suppliers, especially now that raw material prices have fallen significantly in Europe.

In April, the contracts for packaging PSV-S fell to EUR1 755-1860 per tonne, FD NWE (north-western Europe), and contracts for construction PSV-S to EUR1 785-1 865 per tonne, FD NWE. Contracts for fire-resistant PSV-S were EUR1,795-1,890 per tonne, FD NWE.

According to the Price Review of ICIS-MRC, in Russia there is a high buying activity in the expandable polystyrene market. Trading companies note a sharp increase in demand caused by the seasonal factor. PSV-S. At the same time, there is a shortage of free spot polystyrene volumes in the domestic market of Russia. In the spot market, prices remain stable.